Arsenal trio complicate Ethan Nwaneri plan as Noni Madueke injury creates dilemma

Noni Madueke’s knee injury has left the door ajar for Ethan Nwaneri to stake his claim for more frequent Arsenal minutes. The exciting 18-year-old talent is yet to start a Premier League game this season despite featuring three times from the bench.

When Nwaneri penned a new Gunners contract this summer, he did not seek assurances of regular playing time contrary to reports. But during those conversations, it was made clear to both him and his representatives that he was a focal part of Mikel Arteta’s plans for both the present and future.

The sticking point is that there is now increased competition for places at the Emirates Stadium. The arrival of Eberechi Eze means Nwaneri is no longer a shoo-in when captain Martin Odegaard requires rest or is not available. Arteta also previously utilised Nwaneri on the right flank when Bukayo Saka sustained a serious hamstring injury in a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace last season.

The England U21 international netted against Brighton in January but was then sidelined with a muscle injury that halted his progress. It’s understood Arteta favours Nwaneri in a central role as opposed to on the wing.

Still, it’s clear to see he has the qualities – close control, touch, footwork, dribbling and crossing ability – to prove a major hit on the Arsenal right if Saka needs to be rotated.

Nwaneri is expected to start Wednesday’s League Cup clash against Port Vale but even in the absence of Madueke, he has a real fight on his hands to prove he is the right man to support and supplement Saka.

Not only can Gabriel Martinelli also feature from the right but Max Dowman is now on the scene and is rated incredibly highly within the club. There is a lingering sense that Arteta would have no qualms unleashing him into any match, even if Dowman was not part of the matchday squad for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Dowman’s unpredictability is an ace up Arteta’s sleeve but given Arsenal fought so hard to keep Nwaneri, fending off strong interest from Borussia Dortmund, he will undoubtedly be handed the chance to impress again this season.

But now what’s even more important is that Nwaneri makes an impact when the opportunity does arise and that starts with the trip to the Potteries.

Last season he chipped in with an impressive nine goals in all competitions, including two in the Champions League and he has all the tools to become a real asset for the Gunners this season when they will attempt to go the distance on four separate fronts.

He needs rhythm, however, and that ultimately comes with starts. Unfortunately, Martinelli is also hungry to make an impression after notching two goals in consecutive appearances from the bench.

Initially, Arsenal’s decision to cool their interest in Eze was linked to Nwaneri’s future and the agreement which saw the teenager pen fresh terms in north London. Kai Havertz’s hamstring injury prompted a change of thinking and so far, on the evidence of what we have seen this season, Nwaneri has become somewhat of a casualty of Eze’s arrival.

In a team stacked with talent, there is no better time for the England U21 international to provide a reminder of his quality, particularly after Arteta was scrutinised for being ‘too defensive’ with his lineup against Manchester City.